The Life of a Custom Mowing contractor

[Hay Dude]

Today, despite nonstop rain warnings, I was able to get some baling done. I’m in a field in N. Wilmington 1 day early. Just dropped this field Monday and it was very thick & heavy. Since rain was in the forecast, I decided to start baling a day early, rather than run a tedder after it rains.


First, I had to run the Massey back home with the hay mowers in order to return with the baling tractor. One thing I may have never shared with you is that being a hay farmer involves a lot of “logistics”.
Here I am in North Wilmington heading across the border back to get the Challenger tractor & Krone baler.

OK, I’ve dropped the Massey off and heading back with the Challenger & Krone baler.

Made it back to N. Wilmington & now baling….

Thunderstorm warnings have been issued, but they are passing to the south of me. Nothing like having doppler radar in the cab! I’m near the blue dot/Wilmington. Worst of it appears to be sliding off to the south.

It’s now ~6:30 and time to stack some bales….

Finished with baler. I like these bale weights in the 1500lb range. I didn’t get the whole place done, but the day is over. Tomorrow is another day.

It’s now 8PM. I am heading home in the small Challenger. When you are tired and really want to get home, 30+ MPH speeds are really nice.

I feel blessed by such a generous Lord & Savior.

 

[sixdogs]

Nothing beats baling hay with rain all around you and you stay dry. In Maine I once baled 1200 small squares while a neighbor a half-mile away got an inch of rain and another in a different direction had intermittent downpours.

I figured every bale was the last and despite wanting to quit just kept going and got every one in the barns without a drop of rain.

 

[Hay Dude]

we are forecasted to have similar weather tomorrow

 

[Hay Dude]

Today was another day where we would get a 10-20 minute “spritz” and then 5 hours of hot, oppressive sun. No problem baling. In fact it helps put just a touch of “dew” moisture in the bale, not harmful like stem moisture.

On my way over to the Customer’s Farm/Estate, I snapped a quick picture for y’all that might interest you. Can you guess what this ~100’ tall stone tower with windows and a door is for?

Here I am at Customers gates in small Challenger.

Now up in fields raking. It’s about 92 degrees and pretty oppressive.

View out the front of the Challenger MT535B while raking. Note wheel rake in side view mirror.

Thunderstorm clouds threatened, but never rained

A couple baling pics. Here’s a 1,700LB block of hay. Krone Baler in side view mirror.

Climbing a pretty steep hill. The big Challenger gets better traction than the old Magnum 270, but it also has better tires.

Finishing up a section.

 

[number two]

Good stuff!
Thanks for posting,and Good Luck!

 

[Hay Dude]

Submit your guesses on what the stone castle turret is for

 

[RjCorazza]

Today was another day where we would get a 10-20 minute “spritz” and then 5 hours of hot, oppressive sun. No problem baling. In fact it helps put just a touch of “dew” moisture in the bale, not harmful like stem moisture.

On my way over to the Customer’s Farm/Estate, I snapped a quick picture for y’all that might interest you. Can you guess what this ~100’ tall stone tower with windows and a door is for?
View attachment 878815...

With a door and windows I'm going to guess it's for people, rather than agriculture.... A monument / memorial?

 

[Runner]

It reminds me of a water tower in KC.

 

[sixdogs]

Submit your guesses on what the stone castle turret is for

if near ocean, a lighthouse?
Watch for advancing British?
Stone tower to make round lead shot?
Silo?

 

[EddieWalker]

That tower would make a great deer hunting blind!!! But I'm gonna guess it was made for something a lot less exciting. Probably a lookout for Red Coats!!!!